Many years ago I stopped trying to stay awake on Christmas Eve hoping to catch Santa Clause delivering his holiday joy.
I am an old man and have no inclination to sneak up on Peter Cottontail as he hops down the bunny trail.
My joy on these holidays comes from where, I think, it is meant to come from. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a handful of jelly beans, or a solid chocolate bunny as much as anyone does. But more and more I find myself looking forward to the joy in the eyes of a granddaughter who is excited about having her hair curled and wearing her “Pretty Easter dress” to go to church, or having a grandchild explain that Jesus died, and then he was alive again as only a child can.
Anytime the family gathers is a good time, and any time that gathering takes place in a church is a great time.
When my oldest daughter was in high school my wife and I agreed to let her stop going to mass with the family. I quietly prayed that it would have an “Absence makes the heart grow fonder effect.”
What happened instead was that most of the younger kids came to look at sophomore year of high school as the year they could start sleeping in on Sundays. The few that kept their church obligation alive lost the inclination shortly after landing in college towns where many “Educated” professors taught that religion is an archaic waste of time, or found Sunday morning work or sports was winning out over church.
As most parents do, I hope that my kids will lead good lives and, one day long after me, die and go to heaven where I pray I will reunite with them.
I believe that is possible, but much more difficult, without attending mass regularly and receiving the sacraments.
That being said, Easter and Christmas are times when I am lucky enough to sit next to many of the people I love most in a church Pew.
This Easter was fantastic!
I met with about 12 family members at a local church to start off the festivities (we filled a pew). We went directly from church to my second oldest daughter’s house where we had cake to celebrate my youngest daughter’s birthday. To top off the day we went to a local restaurant and ate with none of the worry of getting all the food out on time or dishes.
I am very happy, and blessed, that my kids have grown to be good people, in spite of mistakes my wife and I may have made along the way.
As an Irish, German, catholic, retired cop, father who has seen a lot of bad stuff, I am thrilled to get together with my family anytime and anyplace!
Today was the best day I’ve had in a long time! I accept the possibility that tomorrow could be even better!
I love my family! I love my friends! I love my life! I love my God! And I love all of you and wish you all. Happy and Blessed Easter!
Thank you for reading this and please leave comments to let me know what you liked, or don’t like about it.